ETHICAL STANDARDS

The professional conduct of Association members is governed by the American Dental Association Principles of Ethics, the dentistry Code of Ethics, and applicable federal or state criminal statutes.

Maintaining ethics and high standards of care within the dental profession has always been an issue of interest for the WSDA, and in Washington state reports of disciplinary and licensure violations fall to the desk of the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC).

The DQAC, which is composed of 12 dentists and four public members appointed by the governor, deals with violations of state law that fall into three categories: mental or physical condition, unprofessional conduct and unlicensed practice.